Mother's Day

Life doesn't come with a manual. It comes with a mother. Unknown.  

One thing we all share is that we have mothers.  They are the multitasking, patient, gurus of unconditional love that nurture, protect and support us throughout their entire lives. 

Robert Browning said All love begins and ends with motherhood. For some of us our mothers have passed, for others they live far away, Yet we never outgrow the need for someone special to hold us, tuck us in and reassure us that all will be well.

Mother is a verb. It's something you do. Cheryl Lacey Donovan.  It is the heartbeat in the home. Leroy Brownlow

Gloria Steinheim only discovered in her 50’s that one’s home was a ‘symbol of the self’.  This week I invite you to spend time mothering yourself.  To listen to your deepest needs and respond to them as if they were your inner child. Melinda Burns.  One way is to create a comfortable home filled with special indulgences such as a flower by your bed, a scented candle, or a reading nook.

These small acts replicate the divine feminine as a 3D manifestation of love, support and serenity. Happy Mother’s Day.

Signs and songs

Simplicity is the character of the spring of life, costliness becomes its autumn; but a neatness and purity, like that of the snow-drop or lily of the valley, is the peculiar fascination of beauty, to which it lends enchantment, and gives what amiability is to the mind. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

The appearance of Lily of the Valley indicates winter is over. Imported from Japan in the middle ages, it has a history of tradition and symbolism.

Christians believed the small tear dropped shaped flowers represented Eve’s tears at being ejected from the garden of Eden or Mary’s shed at the crucifixion. Thus the flower is symbolic of motherhood, humility, and virtue. Some believe the flowers came about from the drops of blood shed by a dragon slain by Saint Leonard thereafter they were deemed a good luck charm.  Fairies are said to drink from their cups and in return protect gardens from evil spirits.

In the 1500’s King Charles IX was gifted a Lily of the Valley on May 1. He liked the flower so much the tradition spread and is upheld even today as a wish for luck and prosperity.

In Victorian times it symbolised a ‘return to happiness’ either in happy memories, coming to terms after mourning, or starting over. Receiving a bouquet meant “you have made my life complete” and has been used in wedding bouquets including Kate Middleton, Princess Grace and Queen Victoria.

Lily of the Valley is a member of the asparagus family; and even though all parts of the flower including the leaves and stems are poisonous the plant was used during WWI to treat soldiers exposed to poison gas, heart disorders, UTIs, epilepsy, kidney stones and burns. Its scent contains Borgeonal known to increase fertility in humans.  Also Lily of the Valley was the primary scent in Diorissimo and was Christian Dior’s favourite flower adorning his personal stationary and lapels.

Until spring comes, nightingales do not sing. Azerbaijani Proverb

In Celtic lore the lily of the valley fell in love with a nightingale.  When the bird migrated the flower would wither and die only to bloom again in the spring upon its return.  Celts believed the markings on the birds throats protected against evil spirits. While the Irish believe that a nightingale is a sign of good fortune when heard in one’s own home.

The nightingale is sovereign of song. Edmund Spenser

The song of the male (females are mute) nightingale has been described as one of the most beautiful sounds in nature. This shy, nocturnal bird is associated with creativity, nature’s purity and goodness.

In Greek mythology nightingales were the messengers of Hera, the queen of all the gods and goddesses. She was so moved by their song she placed them among the stars for all eternity.

This week I felt the lessons of the lily and nightingale were particularly apropos.  The simple flower representing a return to happiness – no masks, restaurants full and tour groups on the rise. While It is modes of the nightengale not to require anyone to listen to it; but it is also proud of the nightungale not to care whether anyone listens to it or not Soren Kierkegaard.

With a light heart I invite you to  Sing like no one's listening, love like you've never been hurt, dance like nobody's watching, and live like it's heaven on earth. - Mark Twain.

Infinite Love

This weekend the studio is pleased to present our first large live event in three years. The ‘mysterium’ was first conceived by Russian composer Alexander Scriabin at the turn of the last century. Here everyone participates in a multisensory journey involving sacred sound, voice, movement, lights and scent interwoven into a transformative experience.

We are honoured to have pre-eminent Gong Master Don Conreaux to share his fifty years experience in leading these events around the world. Also joining us are advanced students from Europe and Asia. Our theme is infinite love.  Our goal is memory. Only a few seats left. So book now.

Heartfelt

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched – they must be felt with the heart. Helen Keller

Last week a friend gifted me a lovely cross stitch pillow. Not made of felt or in the shape of a heart it never-the-less touched my heart knowing the amount her time and effort to make it. 

Heartfelt wishes are genuine and delivered sincerely.  When words are both true and kind, they can change the world. Buddha.  Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. Leo Buscaglia  This week I invite you to speak, write and think from the heart.

Radiating love

Once we were particles of light, now we are light particles radiating love. Rumi  By radiating love you will light the world.

I believe  What the world needs now is love sweet love. After all, Love conquers all. Publius Vergilius   
 
Being loved and being loving is a win win proposition. Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage. Lao Tzu...Unconditional love ... is just there. Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

So how do you radiate love? Begin by fostering self love.
Become conscious of your thoughts.
Make your intention clear.
Be the feeling.
Let go of the outcome and activate patience.
Practice Gratitude.

You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams. Dr. Seuss

Please remember me

Nearly 100 years ago today Winnie the Pooh by AA Milne was published. Milne wrote that a writer wants something more than money for his work: he wants permanence. Through his characters we are reminded of simple truths.
 
On Life
Life is a journey to be experienced, not a problem to be solved. Pooh
When all else fails take a (gong) nap. Pooh

On love
You do not spell love, you feel it. Pooh 

On oneself
You’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think. Christopher Robin
 

Promise you won’t forget me ever?  Christopher Robin

How could we?

Everyday People

“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results” - Einstein

The song Everyday People’s universal themes of compassion and respect is as topical today as it was over half a century ago. Why have we not moved forward? There is only one race, the human race. Rosa Parks

Here is a modern version by a charity called Playing for Change. Musicians collaborating around the world to instil harmony and love. Listen here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-g4UWvcZn5U

The simple lessons from the song can extend your life. According to psychologist Susan Pinker in a 2017 TED talk, the secret to longevity is your connectivity to the community through simple social interactions - talking to the cashier at the grocery store, or the night guard or the FEDEX delivery man. We are all human, so let’s start treating each other like one.  Remember your humanity and forget the rest. Bertrand Russell

Listen to Susan here https://www.ted.com/talks/susan_pinker_the_secret_to_living_longer_may_be_your_social_life?language=en

Kung Hei Fat Choy

‘Kung Hei Fat Choy’Means ‘wishing you prosperity’. Prosperity is defined as an abundance of money or possessions or simply a plentiful supply of a desirable thing. Oftentimes prosperity is defined as net worth. However last year we have seen revenues fall, businesses close, and health decline all catalysing a reset in personal values..

“A fall into a ditch makes you wiser.” Chinese Proverb

This year I invite you to make my(your)self rich by making my(your) wants few. Henry David Thoreau 
To realise the most precious resource we all have is time. Steve Jobs
To  not just make money, make a difference. Grant Cardone
To  not let making a living prevent you from making a life. John Wooden 
 
And remember money can’t buy me love. The Beatles
With that, a prayer for the new year from Pope John XXIII
Consult not your fears, but your hopes and your dreams.
Think not about your frustrations, but about your unfulfilled potential.
Concern not yourself with what you tried and failed in, but what it is still possible to do.
Now is the time to put aside past and present setbacks and failures and look with confidence to the new day called tomorrow.

Lean on Me

Lean on Me

The new year beckons, 2020 is a but memory.  The calendar ahead lures us into our future with possibilities, opportunities, chequered with setbacks and disappointment.  Sometimes overwhelm wins and we feel totally alone in our journey. Despite outward appearances of holding ‘it’ together The worst part about being strong is that no one ever asks if you are ok. anon A kind word, a hug, or simply holding space silently in total acceptance and presence is all it takes.  Just being there for someone can sometimes bring hope when all seems hopeless. Charles Schlutz

This week I invite you to listen to Bill Withers and take his advice to Lean on me when you are not strong, I'll be your friend, I'll help you carry on.

Lessons from my cat

There are two means of refuge from the miseries of life: music and cats.
Albert Schweitzer

Sigmund Freud said Time spent with cats is never wasted.  Garrison Keillor added Cats are intended to teach us that not everything in nature has a function. So what can we learn from cats?

Cats are connoisseurs of comfort. James Herriot.
They are experts at putting themselves first, maintain impeccable hygiene, get plenty of rest, eat sensibly, sleep in the sun and know where to find a warm lap.

Just watching my cats can make me happy. Paula Cole
They possess an innate sense of curiosity, playfulness, problem solving and determination. 

The ideal of calm exists in a sitting cat. Jules Renard
They are fully present in the moment at all times.  

A cat's very nearness is a healing song. -Shannon Hale
Cats have a high degree of empathy, to sit, listen and unconditionally offer their presence. 

To err is human, to purr is feline.― Robert Byrne
Cats are the only animal that purrs. Purring expresses love, affection and happiness and the frequency of purring stimulates bone growth. 

To be honest, the reason I have my cats is to force myself to think about something other than myself.- Marie Helvin
Cats epitomise independence yet live a life of simple values - food, shelter, family and love.

In the middle of a world that has been a bit mad, a cat walks with confidence. Rosanne Amberson.  As do we. This too shall pass. Take these lessons to heart and be well.